The Good Shepherd

A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament

By: Kenneth E. Bailey

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

"The Lord is my shepherd."

Thus begins the most beloved of all Psalms - and thus begins a thousand-year journey through the Bible. Prophets, apostles, and Jesus himself took up this image from David, reshaping it, developing it, and applying it to their own situations and needs. Kenneth Bailey uses his celebrated insights into Middle Eastern culture, especially his familiarity with Middle Eastern shepherding customs, to bring new light and life to our understanding of this central image of the Christian faith. With each of nine major Old and New Testament passages, Bailey reveals the literary artistry of the biblical writers and summarizes their key theological features. His work is also enriched by his unique access to very early Middle Eastern commentaries on these passages, bringing fresh understanding from within the mind-set of these ancient worlds. The Good Shepherd invites us to experience a rich, biblical feast of ethical, theological, and artistic delights.

©2014 Kenneth E. Bailey. Originally published by InterVarsity Press as The Good Shepherd by Kenneth E. Bailey. (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Good but difficult to follow IMO

I think the research and the academics present in the book is outstanding. This scholarly study is difficult to follow as there is no accompanying PDF as is present in many audio books and obviously were present in the written book because the figures are referred to regularly.
This audio book is actually an academic course and should be treated as such with Bible, pen and notepad in hand as you listen. There is a lot packed in here. I didn't agree with some of the conclusions but that's OK, it was thought provoking.
I was disappointed with the length of some chapters as they were so long and drawn out it became tedious to continue to listen.
Loved the topic, loved the research, wish this could be brought under editors like the ones that produce "the great courses" series. Small criticism for a great work by Dr. Bailey IMO.

You will never look at the Good Shepherd the same

What did you love best about The Good Shepherd?

It's application to different books of the Bible. Dr. Bailey helps you see inter meaning in the scriptures.

What other book might you compare The Good Shepherd to and why?

Any of Dr. Bailey's books provide you a opportunity to look at scripture through the eyes of those living during that era.

Which scene was your favorite?

This is impossible to answer. I enjoyed every chapter of the book. It enlightens my understanding of the scriptures.

Thought Provoking

Exceptional Scholarship yet not difficult to follow and understand. An important book for stimulating growth of mind and heart.

just what I was looking for

This book is academic, but not boring. Detailed, but not too much. Deep enough to give me new prospective on the good shepherd metaphor in the Bible, but not so much that I lost the valuable context of God's love for us through Jesus. Excellent cultural commentary.

The Shepherd we didn't deserve

Kenneth Bailey gives a very thorough understanding of what a biblical shepherd looks like. it can be difficult to listen to sometimes, he is an academic professor after all. He'll guide you through every cultural nuances that could only be picked up from actually living in the middle of that society for 40 years. in the end, you'll be compelled to live out the walk of the Good Shepherd.

Exceptional

The author showed me how Psalm 23 was the foundation expanded by Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah and then by Jesus, as included in all four gospels, and eventually in 1 Peter. Bailey’s experience with the Middle Eastern culture for forty years, his understanding of the linguistics, his academics provide insights that are otherwise not available. The material is more suitable for study of a written copy, but the Audible version introduced the ideas. Of course, I will order a hard copy for better understanding!

Gravitas and glory

An informative educational study of the good shepherd tradition. The final discussion of the relationship between glory and gravitas was especially moving and helpful. Scholarly without being pedantic.

Listen

My concern when starting this book was that the content would be great, but dry and not lend itself to audio.
Excellent reading, provocative content with enough information to think but not inundate. Impressed by the thoughtfulness of the author and their perspective on the biblical passages from a multicultural perspective.

elegantly wove the shepherd scriptures together

I found this very insightful, but it requires a good amount of familiarity with the old and new testament and near Eastern history to keep up. it was such a great resource I went and bought the book to mark it up.

fascinating look at the story of the good shepherd

this author has extensive background, research, and years living in the holy land that gives fantastic and new insights not only to the story of the Good Shepherd, but the historical setting and literature and language meanings.
loved it a must read for any christian